Since 1980, Steve has successfully defended hundreds of people in all areas of criminal law throughout the United States and on active military duty in Europe. He started his New Mexico practice in 1985 and has represented countless defendants accused of assault and battery, domestic violence, driving while intoxicated (DUI), drug trafficking, murder, to name the more common charges, in both state and Federal court.
EDUCATION
BA, Honors, George Washington University, Washington DC (1976)
JD, Saint Louis University, Saint Louis MO (1979)
Greyfriars, University of Oxford, Great Britain (1983-1984)
LLM, Military Law, JAG School, University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA (1985)
EMPLOYMENT
Aarons Law Firm PC (1992 to present): Solo practice; criminal trials and appeals;
Jones, Snead, Wertheim, Wentworth & Jaramillo (1989-1992): Civil and criminal trials;
New Mexico Public Defender Department, Clovis NM (1985) and chief of death penalty defense division (1986-1989): handled several dozen murder cases, appellate advocacy in assigned death penalty and murder cases; taught trial advocacy at MCLE seminars;
Judge Advocate General’s Corps, Lieutenant Colonel, US Army Reserves (retired), Senior Trial Counsel, VII Corps, Augsburg, Germany, prosecuting fifty-one courts-martial on active duty (1980-1983); Military Law Professor, Judge Advocate General School, University of Virginia School of Law (1999-2007);
Legal Aid Lawyer, Great Falls, Montana Legal Services (1979): Volunteer in Service to America, civil litigation and misdemeanor defense for Black Feet Tribe;
National Institute of Trial Advocates (NITA): University of New Mexico (1992-1999); Harvard (NITA 1990), Southern Methodist University (NITA 1991), California Western (1997-1999); National Business Institute; Faculty, New Mexico Criminal Defense Lawyer’s Association’s Trial College (2013).
PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS
Bar of United States Supreme Court (1983); Criminal Trial Specialist, National Board of Trial Advocates (1986-1992); Criminal Trial Specialist, New Mexico Bar Specialization Committees (1991-2006); Highest “AV” Rating, Martindale-Hubbell Law Directory of Preeminent Lawyers (1988-present)
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